Dudley, once a thriving town, now ranks as one of England’s worst due to crime, failing services and overall decline
The Sunday Times looked at crime and schools, also checking GP wait times and community spaces. Only two areas ranked lower than Dudley: Rushmoor and Basildon.
A shopkeeper jokes Dudley should’ve been first, as she deals with shoplifting often. A nearby town, Lye, has its own issues where people there face fines for public incidents. Dudley was also named unhappiest in the region.
People over 60 remember Dudley’s better days when it was the Black Country’s unofficial capital. The Black Country flag flies at the Council House, but now the flag seems like a sad symbol of decline.
Robert Bennett has worked at the market for years, recalling the bustling 70s. Now, his stall is often the only one open, and customers are few and far between these days.
The council faces a large funding gap of millions, and some think the council wastes money. A fancy bistro in the Town Hall failed, while locals blame a shopping center for Dudley’s decline.
John Darby recalls big stores leaving Dudley and describes Dudley as similar to a war zone now. The market has few stalls, the bus stop moved far away, and the lights cause heavy road traffic.
The museum closed, and the football team has no home causing politicians talk of upgrades that don’t happen. Health services struggle in the town. People feel the town has declined badly.
John Massey says the people are great but thinks the town’s investments are lacking. He also believes the town has lost its character, while Mary Hollyhead says healthcare access is a problem.
England’s best places to live include Richmond and Cheltenham, while Dudley has reminders of its past glory. There is a statue of a local football hero, but projects like the Metrolink remain unfinished.
Jayne says the town has a lot to offer visitors with the castle and Black Country Museum attracting tourists. However, she sees more desperate people now, and believes the loss of the museum hurts the town.
Stacey Jones moved back to Dudley recently and is not shocked by the town’s ranking. She sees “kids on bikes wearing balaclavas” and reports issues with local schools.
Mario moved to Dudley from Italy and says the town has lost its heart. He still finds community spirit where he lives, but Majid, who has lived in Dudley for almost 50 years, now feels like a foreigner.
Zarina says there is nothing for kids to do and she hardly ever sees any police. Her boss wonders who would visit Dudley, while she also says online shopping hurts local businesses, noticing less smiling faces now.